Beer of the Week: FestCoast

Earlier this week, I was sampling a local lager while recording a Beer for Breakfast segment at the 91X studios. Hailing from Sorrento Valley brewpub Gravity Heights, it was a German-style fest bier, a strong pale style of lager that rears its delicious head come Oktoberfest season. Taking place from late-September to early-October and lasting for 16 to 18 days, that centuries-old Deutsch celebratory period is far too short in my opinion. I realize that sounds a little whiny – we are talking about over two weeks, after all – but I really love those fest biers. As such, I found myself lamenting the fact most brewers only produce them during this singular, sadly finite time of year, and wishing they were available year-round. Then it hit me. Part of the reason they’re so special, that I look forward to them so much each autumn, is because they aren’t around all the time. All introspection and philosophizing aside, I do my best to try as many local Oktoberfest-inspired beers as I can each festival season. I did well this year, and one of the best I came across is this week’s featured beer, FestCoast. A fest bier from Culture Brewing, a Solana Beach-based brewery with satellite taprooms in Encinitas and Manhattan Beach, it has everything I look for in the style: cereal character, light earthen sweetness, a touch of minerality and tremendous drinkability. If you can’t finish a liter-sized stein’s worth, it ain’t a fest bier. I can easily down two steins of FestCoast, so kudos to the Culture brew crew. And compliments to the staff who decided to not only shift their Oktoberfest beyond the date-range utilized by the majority of breweries, but also extend their celebration over nearly the entire length of October. So there’s no need to rush one’s enjoyment of this beer or the festival season. Both will be around for a while. That’s the spirit! Fest on, my fellow beer-lovers. Prost!

Meet FestCoast, Culture Brewing’s take on a modern German-style fest bier. Slightly stronger and more flavorful than your typical light lager, FestCoast strikes the perfect balance between a traditional Oktoberfest or Märzen and the lighter, more modern fest biers gaining popularity in Germany. The result is a smooth, malty, highly drinkable beer with just the right amount of character. Brewed with floor-malted Bohemian Pilsner, Vienna, Carahell and Munich malts, FestCoast delivers a rich malt backbone without feeling heavy or overly sweet. A healthy dose of noble hops rounds things out with pleasant bitterness and subtle herbal, spicy notes, keeping every sip crisp and balanced. To celebrate this limited-edition can release, Culture is hosting three weeks of Oktoberfest festivities at all three of our coastal taprooms through Sunday, October 25. Expect stein-holding competitions every Saturday, raffles every Sunday and stein specials all week long. Grab a stein, join the festivities and don’t forget to take home a four-pack of FestCoast while you can!”

Jason Smith, Head Brewer, Culture Brewing

Culture Brewing’s local taprooms are located at 111 South Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach and 629 South Coast Highway 101 in Encinitas